There’s considerable pride showing in the Van Buren region of SoHa, home of some happy trails, indeed.
South Haven is one of four Michigan communities named today as Pure Michigan Trail Towns by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. They are the first official Trail Towns named by the state along with half a dozen trails in the Great Lakes State.
The announcement was made today in South Haven by DNR, Travel Michigan and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance officials.
Five years ago in 2014, the Michigan Trailways Act was revised to add the DNR’s ability to designate trails and towns as Pure Michigan Trails and Trail Towns. That designation was designed to acknowledge Michigan’s position as the preeminent trails state in the nation.
Paul Yauk, State Trail Coordinator, says, “Michigan is full of wonderful trails and trail towns,” and adds, “Today we recognize the best of the best, but there is no doubt that Michigan’s four seasons of trails, of every shape, size and variety, provide residents a unique experience every time they step outside.”
Chosen as the first trail towns in the state along with the City of South Haven are the City of Charlevoix, the City of Houghton, and the Village of Newberry.
The trails chosen were deemed to provide users with a quality trail experience, provide clear information for users, have broad community support and have a sustainable maintenance and marketing plan.
David Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan says, “Michigan is known for having thousands of miles of hiking, biking and kayaking trails,” and adds, “We are excited to partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to honor these trails and trail towns. Designated as Pure Michigan Trails and Trail Towns, these also highlight the appreciation of the work of countless trail ambassadors who have given time to plan, create, and maintain the state’s trails.”
Named as Pure Michigan Trails are:
- The Iron Ore Heritage Trail in Marquette County
- Leelanau Trail in Leelanau County
- Polly Ann Trailway in Oakland County
- Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in Leelanau County
- Trail 45, the Charcoal Grade Trail, in Luce County
- The William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail in Muskegon and Oceana counties.
Bob Wilson serves as Executive Director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. He says, “Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is pleased to support this first round of Pure Michigan designations,” and concludes, “Personally, I worked on the legislation that was the foundation for this program back in 2014. The intent of the legislature was to associate the quality of the Pure Michigan brand with the quality of select Trails and Trail Towns.”
The photo accompanying this story at Moody on the Market shows part of the KalHaven Trail at South Haven and is courtesy of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.
